Haben Girma, honored by heads of state and named a White House Champion of Change by President Barack Obama, urges the importance of access to higher education.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Antiracism
Campus Police Update
COMPLETED INITIATIVES
June 16th Chief Moore attended a webinar on Allies for Deafhood.
On July 21, 2022, the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance traveled to Palomar College to present a workshop on Hate Crime Awareness for First Responders. Palomar Campus Police Department (PCPD) invited officers from Southwestern College, MiraCosta College, Cal State San Marcos, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and Escondido Police Department.
On July 22, 2022, Chief Moore attended the Transitions/Rising Scholars program.
From August 2 – 4, 2022, Chief Moore attended the Campus Safety Conference in Los Angeles. The various breakout sessions explored technology to aid in threat assessments and various protection themes for campuses.
During the week of August 8, Officer Jesus Montes attended the annual conference of Threat Assessment Professionals. The conference provides case studies on threats to public institutions and skills to responds to targeted threats of violence to students, staff, and faculty.
On August 15, 2022, Chief Moore met with the Acting Chief Diversity Officer, Carmelino Cruz, to share updates on progress made on DEIAA objectives, and provide in depth content to questions provided on the number of people attending training and hours.
On August 18, 2022, member of the department viewed a Critical Race Theory and Restorative Justice Webinar. PCPD employees also completed “Beyond Bias” training offered by our accrediting agency, State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (CAPOST). The content included protected classes, LGBTQ+ engagement, equal treatment, and the historical role of police in communities of color.
On September 14, 2022, PCPD hosted Coffee with a Cop at the Escondido Education Center. Nearly 200 students from English as a Second Language (ESL), Air Conditioning and Heating, and Emergency Medical Education programs attended. The event was featured on PCPD social media page.
In support of the Dr. Rivera-Lacey’s Summer of Safety initiative, PCPD facilitated over one dozen safety presentations to workgroups on campus to include admissions, counseling, international students, behavioral health, counseling and plenary.
On September 13, 2022, Chief Moore toured One Safe Place, the North County Justice Center. The District Attorney’s office has created a “one stop shop” for persons in crisis due to domestic violence, human trafficking or child abuse. It will allow PCPD to enhance services offered to these victims. Officers are scheduled to tour the facility on October 13. This partnership was showcased on social media.
Chief Moore serves on the Employee Community and Communication Council as well as Behavioral Health and Wellness.
Campus Police Committee held its first meeting on September 28, 2022. Over twelve staff from CCE, CAST and Faculty attended remotely to share concerns.
In 2022, Campus Police officers and staff have completed over 30 hours each, in the areas of mental health, hate crime investigation, de-escalation and bias. The CAPOST requirement for peace officers is 2 hours every 2 years.
Campus Police was selected by Ford Motor Company for their 2023 Police Fleet Calendar. This national publication will feature Latino/Latina representation of PCPD.
DEIAA GOALS FOR FY22-23
- Complete CAPOST Principled Policing class that was postponed by Cal State Long Beach in order to update curriculum. This class is set for September 2022.
- Chief Moore to attend Museum of Tolerance Command School in October.
- Tour of One Safe Place for campus police officers
- Hire two additional police dispatchers
Palomar College Pride Center Condemns Anti-LGBTQ Legislation in Texas, Florida, and Elsewhere.
On March 30 of this year, the journal Inside Higher Education reported that, to date, there have been a record 238 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country since January 1. These include the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28 and Texas Governor Greg Abbot’s February directive that all minors undergoing gender transition be reported to the state. Thirteen states have also banned trans girls and women from participating in women’s sports, and a “ban the books” movement is sweeping the nation. These attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community are infuriating and heartbreaking. Those who have written this legislation do so only to curtail our freedom and spread hate wherever possible. Such laws do not protect families or morality, as their proponents claim, but rather lead to further oppression, persecution, and violence against LGBTQIA+ people.
The Palomar College Pride Center and PC3H (Pride Center Committee to Combat Hate) hold solidarity with those who oppose hateful, dangerous, and ignorant bills like the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida and the Anti-Trans directive in Texas. Homo- and trans-phobia have no place in our school systems, whether that be K-12 or higher education.
We invite the Palomar Community to continue to educate themselves about LGBTQIA+ issues, whether on your own or by attending a Pride Center event or PC3H meeting. We continue to support all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and will persist in our goal of creating and maintaining safe places on campus for that community and our allies. We want to remind everyone that we are strong. We have fought and won countless legal battles, and strategies like these will not hold us down or push us back in the closet. LGBTQIA+ folks in Florida, Texas, and elsewhere, we support you. We will persist. In unity,
Your Palomar Pride Center and PC3H Family
Becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution- Recommendations for Palomar College
In Fall 2021 a book club was formed called “Becoming Hispanic Serving Institutions”, this group was facilitated by Cynthia Cordova, Eduardo Aguilar, and Dr. Hossna Sadat-Ahadi. The purpose of the book club was to “examine our college HSI identity and learn how to support Latinx students, while celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Meetings included learning about the HSI title designation, reflecting on our HSI identity, and engaging in dialogue about our practices in the classroom and beyond. The book club served as intentional professional development for campus members to increase knowledge of best practices for HSIs, while raising awareness of the Latinx student population.” The following provides an overview of the group along with recommendations for Palomar College to continue to develop best practices and intentional awareness of the institutions commitment to our continued development as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Celebrating Undocumented Students during the week of action: October 18-22, 2021
Join the Undocumented Student Support team in creating awareness and support of Palomar College undocumented students. Multiple statewide webinars Statewide Webinars are available through the chancellor’s office website. In addition, events sponsored by Palomar College will take place throughout the week of October 18-22, 2021. Please see the below flyers or visit our website at Resources for Undocumented Students
Sponsored events: Jose Antonio Vargas- DEFINING AMERICAN, and Semana de Accion de Estudiantes Indocumentados
Campus Police Department Update
Complete Initiatives
- On January 28, 2022, Chief Moore participated in the campus wide Social Justice Convening.
- On February 16, 2022, the Campus Police Committee held its first meeting of the semester with members of faculty and staff.
- A vacancy for a police officer position was recently filled by an individual who speaks Spanish fluently and has been with the District for over 12 years.
- Facilitated a class with ESL on police community relations
- Completed State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) 2-hour training on hate crime investigations
- On April 27, 2021, participated in a sexual violence prevention forum in partnership with San Diego City Attorney’s office, “Candid conversations with our law enforcement advocates”, as part of our Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant work.
- Attended Mental Health First Aid awareness 8-hour training facilitated by Mental Health America San Diego/ Campus Health
- Celebration of Black Excellence-BLERD-Black Nerd Culture
DEI Goals for FY2021-22
- All officers complete 16 hours of implicit bias, diversity or mental health awareness. State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) mandate is 2 hours per 2 years.
- Complete POST Principled Policing class – class currently postponed due to curriculum update
- Work with ASG on student-police community forum/listening session in Fall 2021
- Re-engage Community Outreach and Engagement Efforts (i.e. Coffee with a Cop, two per semester at each location)
- Increase Palomar College Police Department appearances in classrooms by 10%, exploring the role of police in communities
- Facilitate visit with Museum of Tolerance post-pandemic
- Attend District Attorney sponsored Deescalation 8-hour training
Palomar College Police Academy Update
Activity Update May 2021
The Academy developed and introduced more verbal communication skills into its curriculum that go far beyond the mandates of our state accrediting agency (POST).
- Including overview and response to cultural diversity, anti-racism & anti-discrimination
- Providing the student with a more in-depth examination of Socio-economic groups
- Implementing specific training in responding to and employing de-escalation tactics
The Academy established and implemented first of its kind community forum within the academy program. This forum gathered community members together, including representation from LGBTQ, minority leaders, educators, local business owners, and local law enforcement agencies.
The Academy is currently in design and implementation of a enhanced recruitment effort specific to women and minorities. We are:
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- Building strong partnerships with our communities through outreach
- Educating those interested in law enforcement to what the job entails (pros v. cons)
- Employing social media, community forums higher education institutions, and local outreach programs for suggestions and recommendations
The Academy is developing a mentorship program to assist disadvantaged students in education and physical training. We will be able to:
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- Define and explain the mentor program, purpose and process
- Select our participants
- Match mentors and mentees
- Ensure mentorship training for successful outcome
In collaboration with the College we have formed a consortium of college and law enforcement academy partners in San Diego County
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- Provides open dialogue and communication
- Provides consistency in academy education and training
- Allows us to build objectives and goals for police reform
Campus Police Department Update
October 2020 – January 2021 Activities
- The Department’s Use of Force policy is available on the Department website.
- A commendation/complaint online form is available on the Department website.
- Department employees completed the U.S. Department of Justice Safe Policing and Safe Communities Certification to gain eligibility for Department of Justice grants.
- The Department started California Department of Justice Racial and Identity Profile Act training one year early for compliance on data collection on traffic stops.
- In partnership with the Teaching and Learning Center, the Department hosted a law enforcement community connection workshop.
- The Department is a partner in a Violence Against Women Act grant with the San Diego City Attorney’s office and underwent training for Trauma Informed Approach to working with Survivors in January 2021.
Patricia Sinay- California Independent Redistricting Commissioner engages Palomar College Students
Palomar College is committed to expanding civic engagement among students, faculty, staff and our community. Periodically we host speakers that share special expertise and help us learn about important issues that affect our society.
On March 4, 2021, Palomar invited a member of the California Independent Redistricting Commission to speak. Patricia Sinay is one of only 14 California residents who was selected to redraw political boundaries in our state. Patricia Sinay addressed student, staff, faculty and the community in a discussion regarding redistricting and the difference between empowering and maximizing voters voices and how redistricting directly impacts equity outcomes in the state.
Purpose of Redistricting:
One of the greatest powers that the people of California have is to elect their own representatives to conduct the business of their government. How the district boundaries are configured can make the difference between empowering and maximizing the voters’ voices or minimizing and muting those voices. Redistricting work directly affects equity outcomes in our state.
Foundation Board of Directors engage in Palomar’s antiracist framework
Dr. Jack Kahn and Dr. Hossna Sadat Ahadi delivered a vibrant presentation on Palomar’s Antiracist Framework at the February 22, 2021, Foundation Board of Directors meeting. The Foundation Board members were eagerly engaged in the discussion. The conversation will continue as the Foundation works to identify and adopt avenues to engage in Palomar’s antiracist framework.
The Palomar College Foundation Board of Directors is a dynamic group of committed high-profile community advocates. They support the mission of the Foundation and inspire community support to benefit Palomar College. The mission of the Foundation is to assure equal access to success for all Palomar College students by inspiring individual, business, and foundation philanthropic support that helps remove financial barriers and provides essential education resources. In addition to direct student support, the Foundation’s mission includes support to college and faculty initiatives that enhance the educational experience of Palomar College students.